RPL Matchday 20 Instat Team of the Week

Goalkeeper: Alexander Maksimenko (Spartak Moscow)

Alexander Maksimenko was one of six keepers to keep a clean sheet on matchday 20 of the Russian Premier Liga. There was perhaps an element of fortune in this as Dynamo Moscow twice hit the woodwork through Nikolay Komlichenko.

However, Spartak's number 98 also saved two shots on target and made no inaccurate passes. In 93 minutes he played six accurate constructive passes that started Spartak attacks.

InStat Index: 304

Left-back: Christian Ramirez (FC Krasnodar)

FC Krasnodar's Ecuadorian full-back was one of his team's most useful and notable players against Ufa. Ramirez registered a shot on goal and two key passes, one of which was sent to the opponent's penalty area.

He was also fouled three times, the highest figure for his position this matchday. He made the third most duels with the second-highest success rate (14/11 = 79%)

InStat Index: 319

Centre-back: Georgy Dzhikia (Spartak Moscow)

Georgy Dzhikia was the most effective centre-back from matchday 20 of the RPL. Alongside Samuel Gigot and Ilya Kutepov, Dzhikia made Dynamo the team that was most often offside.

Spartak's captain was the only defender to win 100% of his defensive duels, winning eight out of eight. It is also worth noting his contribution going forward: his three key passes were impressive for a defender.

Centre-back: Fernando Kaio (Krasnodar)

Fernando Kaio was one of the main reasons behind FC Krasnodar's clean sheet. The Brazilian made 15 interceptions, which is the highest not only for centre-backs but also for all RPL players.

Kaio had the second-highest percentage of duels won in both halves of the pitch with 87%. FC Krasnodar's number 31 also earned the most free kicks - four in 97 minutes.

InStat Index: 334

Right-back: Denis Kulakov (Ural Ekaterinburg)

Denis Kulakov was the only right-back on matchday 20 to record a productive action. The Ukrainian's assist helped Ural Ekaterinburg take away one point from the VEB Arena.

Kulakov was very active in attack. His only shot was off target, but he made one key pass and four passes into CSKA Moscow's penalty area. Kulakov also proved to be the RPL's most efficient right-back, winning 91% of his duels.

InStat Index: 364

Defensive midfield: Wilmar Barrios (Zenit St. Petersburg)

The best holding midfielder of RPL matchday 20 was Wilmar Barrios. The Colombian took the initiative, shooting twice and winning three free kicks.

Barrios made six crosses into the penalty area. He also won 15 of his 18 duels, giving him a success rate of 83% - more than any other player in his position.

InStat Index: 330

Left midfield: Bernard Berisha (Akhmat Grozny)

Akhmat winger Bernard Berisha was one of the brightest players in the match against Rostov as he took three shots on goal, two of which were on target, and drew four fouls.

The Kosovan didn’t shy away from the physical side. Berisha entered into 20 duels - second only to Anton Zinkovskiy among left wingers - but he managed to win 50% of his compared to Zinkovskiy who won just 19% of his. He fouled (4) and was fouled (5) more than any other left winger.

InStat Index: 315

Right midfield: Mario Fernandes (CSKA Moscow)

Mario Fernandes was named man of the match by the Match Premier TV experts in the 1-1 draw between CSKA Moscow and Ural Ekaterinburg. His spectacular goal in the 90th minute saved CSKA from defeat, but was not the only thing for which his performance will be remembered.

The wing-back had three shots on goal, made six penetrating passes into the FC Ural penalty area and reclaimed possession eight times, six of which were in the opposition half

InStat Index: 345

Central attacking midfield: Zelimkhan Bakaev (Spartak Moscow)

Spartak's victory in the oldest derby against Dynamo was inspired by Zelimkhan Bakaev's goal and assist for Zobnin. Bakaev made the second-most key passes in his position with six - one behind FC Sochi’s Nikita Burmistrov - while only Roman Eremenko (12) attempted more passes into the penalty area.

Bakaev was successful in seven of his 10 such attempts, giving him the second-highest success rate for attacking midfielders who attempted more than two. Of those in his position to attempt as many challenges as he did (17), only FC Ufa’s Urunov had a higher success rate than Bakaev’s 59%.

InStat Index: 362

Forward: Evgeni Lutsenko (FC Arsenal Tula)

Evgeniy Lutsenko’s Indian summer continued in style away to FC Sochi as he scored twice to complete a snatch-and-grab win for Arsenal Tula. He scored with both of his shots to elevate him to fourth in the Russian Premier Liga’s top goalscorers chart.

He was not only efficient in front of goal, but committed to the cause for his team. He attempted more challenges (37) than any other forward this matchday, winning 12 of 37. Only Krylia Sovetov Samara’s Dejan Radonjic (14) won more challenges.

InStat Index: 366

Striker: Ari (Krasnodar)

As time wore on for FC Krasnodar and their slightly makeshift lineup, it was the experience of Ari that sealed the win. First, the striker assisted Marcus Berg, and in the 83rd minute, he held his nerve to convert a penalty at the second time of asking.

Ari’s unselfish performance was typified by his 81% passing success rate - only Zenit St. Petersburg’s Sebastian Driussi attempted more passes overall - and his position-high two successful key passes. Only two players attempted more dribbles than he did.

InStat Index: 351